



PREPARATION. or.

Clemens Schtipf, Darmstadt, and Rudolf King, Aschafienburg, Germany, assignors to E. Merck, Aktiengeseilschatt, Darmstadt, Germany t No Drawing. Fil ed June 15, 1962,.Ser. No. 292,681 Claims priority, application Germany June 19, 1961 a 6 Claims. (Ci. 260--288) This invention relates to a novel process of producing quinolizine derivatives, and to the novel intermediates produced therein. 7

Prior methods for producing quinolizine derivatives are based on a highly complex reaction scheme which results in very low yields of the final products. In view of the importance of quinolizine derivatives as pharmaceuticals, and as intermediates for the preparation of compounds of a class, some of which exhibit therapeutic uses,

wherein R R and R have the previously indicated sigit is desirable to provide a process which is technologically and economically superior to the prior art processes.

An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a novel process for the production of quinolizine derivatives.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel intermediates useful for producing quinolizine derivatives.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon further study of the specification and appended claims.

To attain the objects of the invention, there is provided;

a process wherein a cyclic beta-amino ketone asrepresented by the Formula I radical having 1-10 carbon nificance, is reactedwith a metal-organic vinyl compound as represented by the Formula II (II) t Z await? rat-testes M y a, race i I resented by the Formula III wherein R R R and R are defined as before.

The hydroxyl group of the tertiary alcohol is then re 7 placed by chlorine or bromine by treatment with an inorganic acid halogenide, andthe unsaturated halogenide obtained thereby undergoes allyl transposition and is represented by the Formula IV defined as before and Y derivative of the Formula V wherein R R R and R are defined as before. The double bond in 2,3-position of the above compound may be catalytically hydrogenated, if desired.

According to a particular preferred embodiment of the present process, cyclization is accomplished without isolating the intermediate product IV.

The new process thuscomprehends four or five reaction stages respectively: p

I (a) Reaction of the cyclic beta-amino ketone I-with an organometallic vinyl compound II to the tertiarybetaamino alcohol HI;

(b) Saponification of an acyl group which may be present in the 1-position of the tertiary beta-amino alcohol;

(0) Conversion of the tertiary beta-amino alcohol III into the unsaturated halogenide IV, and the associated allyl transposition;

The individual reaction stages are elucidated as follows:

(a) Preparation of the tertiary beta-amino alcohol.- If an alkaline organometallic compound is employed as the vinyl component 11, e.g. the respective sodium or lithium compound, then the beta-amino ketone I in the dissolved or suspended state may be used in a suitable I to reactions (c) and (d).

inert solvent and the solution of the alkaline organometallic compound may be added under stirring. .Suitable solvents are, for example, ether, preferably tetrahydrofuran. The operation is conducted initially at room temperature and the reaction temperature may be increased, if desired, to the boiling temperature of the respective solvent. The processing is effected in a conventional manner, i.e, the reaction mixture is hydrolyzed 'by mixing with water or dilute acids, e.g. hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and the base is freed through adding ammonia and an ammonium chloride solution. Ifa N-acyl compound of the Formula I is utilized as the base material, the processing is effected in an analogous manner, preferably by adding a solution of ammonium chloride.

Reaction (a) can be conducted in a particularly advantageous way by employing a Grignard compound as the vinyl component II. In this case, the beta-amino ketone I or its N-acyl derivative is merely placed into the solution of the Grignardcompound, either in an inert solvent, preferably ether, or tetrahydrofuran, or it is added in a finely pulverized state under stirring.

It is advisable to use an excess amount of the or'ganometallic compound since, in case of a reaction of the betaamino ketone, 1 mol of the organometallic compound is destroyed by the NH group. If the N-acyl compounds of I are utilized, however, the organometallic compound is deposited in the complex state onto the acyl group and reacts partly, particularly at higher temperatures, while the acyl group is cleaved off. At temperatures below 50 C. this reaction, however, which does not interfere with the further reactions, occurs only to a very smfll extent.

(b) Saponz'fication the N-acyl gr0up.-In case the amino ketone I is relatively unstable, it is advisable to conduct the reaction (a) while utilizing the more stable N-acyl' compound of the Formula I (R acyl). In these cases it is necessary to saponify the N-acyl group again: prior as a rule, by treatment with alkaline agents. Such alkaline agents are preferably alkyli hydroxides in solvents which dissolve the compound to be saponified as wellas the alkali hydroxide, preferably higher boiling alcohols, such as n-butanol or benzyl alcohol. In view of the fact that the saponification of N-acyl compounds generally proceeds relatively slowly, it is advisable to heat the reaction mixture for several hours to temperatures of 7 approximately 140l60 C. The processing is effected in a customary manner by distilling otf the solvent, mixing the residue with water and extracting the base which is insoluble in the excess alkali, by shaking the mixture with a suitable organic solvent, such as ether or methylene chloride.

(c) Halogenation with allyl rearrangement.The hyadvantageous to operate with phosphorous trichloride orthionyl chloride in chloroform. Although it is possible to utilize bromides, there are, however, no advantages,

as the chlorine, in forming allyl chlorides of Formula IV, is so reactive that the cyclization (stage d) occurs very easily under very moderate conditions and in a very short time. It is therefore unnecessary to lncrease the reactivity by changing from chloride to bromide or even' to iodide.

For this reaction the free bases of Formula III aswell as the hydrohalogenides thereof can be utilized. As a rule, the reaction is terminated after a heating period of from one to two hours at about 50 C.

amine, may also be added.

The substitution of the hydroxyl group by chlorine or The saponification is effected,

If desired, small quantities of a tertiary base, such as pyridine or trimethyh' bromine, respectively, in a compound of Formula III may also be accomplished by treatment with concentrated aqueous or anhydrous hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide, respectively, in a suitable solvent, such as glacial acetic acid'or chloroform. Cis-trans-isomerism at the double bond is possible for the allyl halogenides of the general Formula IV. According to the invention, there is surprisingly obtained entirely or to the greater extent the cis-form which is particularly suitable for cyclization.

(d) Cyclizgztion by splitting out'hydrogen halide-The removal of hydrogen halide from an allyl halogenide of Formula IV may be achieved by treatment with any alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate solution, or organic bases. This cleavage proceeds surprisingly smoothly and easily so that it is adequate if the solution of an allyl halogenide of the Formula IV is rendered alkaline or the solution thereof is briefly agitated in an organic solvent, such as chloroform, with an aqueous alkali.

The cyclization does not require isolation of the allyl halogenide of Formul IV in the form of a salt. It is rather preferred to convert the reactionsolution accumu-.

lating during the halogenation of a tertiary alcohol of the tion of the allyl halogenide of Formula IV proceeds so readily not only results from the very high reactivity of the halogen in the allyl position, but also from the .fact that'the cis-form of the allyl halogenide which is necessaryfor the cyclization, is, surprisingly, formed solely, or predominantly.

I e) -Hydrogenati0n.-Hydrogenation of the double bondin the quinolizine derivatives of Formula V resulting from the cyclization is'readilypos'sible if customary hydrogenation catalysts are used, such as palladium, platinum black, platinum oxide, palladium. on barium sulfate, or Raney-nickel and if R represents hydrogen. In case R represents an alkyl radical, the hydrogenation requires particularly active catalysts, and if necessary, also higher hydrogenation temperatures or hydrogenation under pressure, respectively, as the double bond in this case lies between two quarternary carbon atoms.

Instead of the sensitive free bases of Formula V, the more stable salts thereof, such as the hydrochloride or hydrobromide, are frequently used for the catalytic hydrogenation.

The hydrogenation iseffected in solvents suited for the solution of the base or salts, respectively, ie in the caseof hydrogenation of the base, for example in lower alcohols or acetic acid ester, incase of hydrogenation of the salts, in lower alcohols,,glacial acetic acid, water or also in dilute aqueous acids.

STARTING MATERIALS The beta-amino ketones of the Formula I used as the starting material may be employed either as free bases (R =H) or in the form of their N-acyl derivatives (R =acyl).

The following are some examples of beta-amino ke- .tones of the Formula I applicable as starting material:

7 1 acetonyl-l,2,3,4 tetrahydro-isoquinoline,

1-acetonyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline, l-phenacyl-1, 2,3,4-tetrahydro isoquinoline,

1 1-acetonyl-6,7-methylendioxy-1,2,3-tetrahydro l -phenacyl-e,7-dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline,

l-phenacyl-6 ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline,-

1-acetonyl-6,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4=tetrahydro-isoquinoline, i 1- 2-oxo-nonyl) -1,2,3,4 tetrahydrodsoquinohne, 'etc.

Moreover, of the listed compounds, there may be employed'the respective N-acyl compounds, whereby acyl preferably represents the acetyl or benzoyl group.-

These tetrahydro-isoquinoline derivatives are readily accessible. Thus, ,beta-phenylethylamines substituted in the 3- and ir-positions may be converted according to known methods into the respective 3,4-dihydro-isoquinolines substituted'in the 6,7-position (see Berichte, V01.

V59*, p". 2796- (1926 and vol. 62, p. 195 (1929)). 1 The dihydro-isoquinolines thus obtained. are then condensed with beta-keto acids, such as acetoacetic acid, benzoyl acetic acid (which may be substituted in the phenyl nucleus), butyryl acetic acid, caprylyl acetic acid or acetone dicarbonic acid, whereby. are formed, under decarboxylation, the tetrahydro-isoquinolines substituted in the l-position. This condensation is readily achieved in an aqueous neutral or slightly acid solution (see dissertation, G.

Herbert, Technische Hochschule Darmstadt, v1956).

111 the organometallic vinyl compounds of Formula II used as starting ,material, Z may represent an alkali metal, especially lithium. Vinyl-lithium can be produced, for example, according to Chemistry and Industry, 1959,

p. 402; propenyl-Z-lithiumcan be obtained according to methods described in Journal Chemical Soeiety, London, 1956.1). 3333. Particularly suitable, however, are vinyl- Grignard compounds of the Formula II wherein Z represents MgX and X represents chlorine, bromine or iodine. 1 In a vinylcompoundof the Formula II, R -mayrepre- "sent hydrogen'or an alkylresidue having l to .4 C-jatoms.

The alkyl residues'may be straight-chained or branched. f

Accordingly, the following organometallic vinyl compounds for example, which correspond to the Formula II,' are available as starting materials:- vinyl-magnesium bromide, vinyl-lithium, prOpenyl-Z-lithium, propenyl- (2)-magne'sium chloride, butene-(1)-yl-(2)-magnesium bromide, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, alpha,alpha-bis-(=1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-acyl-6,7-

-dimethoxy-isoquinolyl-l)-acetone is grignardized in the first reaction stage for example with alpha-ethyl-vinylmagnesium bromide; After hydrolysis of the gr'igriardization product and saponification of the N- acyl groupsfthe bis [(1',2,3,4 tetrahydro 6,7 dirnethoxy isoquinolyl- 1)-methyl]-[1-butenyl-2]-carb inol is obtained. As a result of the halogenation of the carbinol with thionyl chloride or bromide, respectively, or phosphorous trichloride or bromide, respectively, the V 1-[6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1] 2 [(6,7 dimethoxy- 1,2,3,4, -'tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1) methyl] 3- chloromethyl (or. -3-br0mo methyl)-pentene(i2) 'is obtained. This unsaturated halogenide can be cyclized by treatment with alkaline'agents to 3-ethyl-9,10-dimethoxy- 1,6,7,11b tetraliydro 2 [(1,2,3,4 tetrahydro 6,7- dimethoxy isoquinoline' 1) methyl] 4H benzo- [a]-quinolizine. If particularly active hydrogenationcataly sts are used, the isolated double bond in 2,3-positionv may be hydrogenated, whereby the corresponding. saturated quinolizine derivative is formed.

If the.mesoform. of'the symmetrically substituted-betaamino ketone is used for this reaction, then the Z-dehydroemetine is obtained'which has a particularly strong amoebicidal elfect.

The process of this invention offers an entirelynew way of producing quinolizine derivatives. An important advantage of the new process is due to the fact that the necessary starting compounds are easily accessible and that a comparatively few reaction stages are required.

. For example, when a non-acylated beta-amino ketone of the Formula I is utilized and when the isolation of the unsaturated halogenideIV is omitted, which is actually advisable'in many cases, the only three smoothly proceeding reactions.

. The final products of thisinvention belong to a class of compounds which are known to have useful therapeutic properties, such as described, for example, ,in

I British patent specification 798,847, Belgian patent specifications 604,163 and 604,271 and German patent specifications 1,032,255, 1,082,912 and 1,028,123. Especiall'y, emetine' and 2-dehydro emetine are known to possess outstanding amoebicidal activity. p

.It is believed that the preceding description of the invention enables one skilled in the art to practice this invention without the necessity of further information.

. The following preferred specific embodiments, therefore,

are merely presented to illustrate the invention, and accordingly, are not intended to be limitative of the remainder of the specification or appended claims in any way whatsoever.

- Example I (a) 105 g. of vinyl bromide in 240 ml. of tetrahydrofuran are reacted with 24 g. of magnesium in 210 ml. of tetrahydrofuran to form the respective Grignard-com- I pound. After addition of another 350 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, 60 g. of 1-phenacyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline are added under stirring and cooling. The mixture is allowed to remain quiescent for 4 /2 hrs. at C. whereafter it is decomposed with 250 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution under cooling with ice. The layer of tetrahydrofuran is'separated and the residue is extracted with the aid of methylene chloride.

From the combined organic solvents there are gained 44 g. (68% of theory) of crystalline [(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,-

- 4 tetrahydro-iso-quinolyl-1)-methyl]-phenyl-vinyl-car- V chlorideand 25 ml. of 2 n-sodium hydroxide for 15 mins;

binolwith a melting point of 126-128" C. (isopropanol).

M.P.- of the hydrochloride: 210-212 (ethanol).

M.P. of the hydrobromide: 215-216" (ethanol).

7 The same results are obtained if vinyl-lithium is used From the combined organic solvents there are obtained 4.6 g. (72% of th.) of 1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-9,IO-dimethoxy- Z-phenyl-llbH-benzo [a]-quino1izine with a melting point of 123-125" (isopropanol). 3

M.P. hydrochloride: 200-201 M.P. hydrobromide: 214-216. I I

(d) A solution of 440 mg. of the hydrochloride .obtained according to 10 having a melting point of 200-201 in 22 m1. methanol and 1 ml. 2 n-sodium-hydroxide is hydrogenated at room temperature undernormal'pressuref and in the presence of Raney-nickel. The absorption of hydrogen is terminated after 2% hrs. After the catalyst has been filtered off, the solvent is evaporated. The residue is mixed with 5 ml. water and extracted four times with small quantities of methylene chloride. From the methylene chloride extracts, the 1,2,3,4,6,7-tetrahydro- 9,10 dimethoxy-Z-phenyl-l 1bH-benzo[a] quinolizine is obtained having a melting point of 89-90 (isopropanol),

yield 75%.

M.P hydrochloride: Y 229-230 M.P. hydrobromide: 202-204 (decomp).

The starting material 1-phenacyl-6,7-dirnethoxy-1,2,-

integrated process comprises 128) in 700 ml. water and 250 ml. methanol are introduced in a citrate-buifered aqueous solution having a pH of 4.6 and are mixed with 60 g. benzoylacetic acid in 200 ml. 2 n-sodium hydroxide. A total volume of 2 l. is reached by adding water and methanol; and the solution is left to stand for 20 hrs. at pH 4.6 and 25. After the addition of 250 m1. of 2 n-sodiurn hydroxide, 1 phenacyl 6,7 dimethoxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline having a melting point of 138-139 (acetone) is separated. Yield 88%.

Example 2 i (a) 19.8 g. of alpha,alpha'-bis-(N-benzoyl-6,7dimethoxyl,2,3,4 -tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-1)-acetone (racemic form, M.P. 197-199) are introduced under stirring into a solution of butene (l)-yl-(2)-magnesium bromide pre-' pared from 16.5 g. of 2-bromine-butene-(1) and 2.95 g. of magnesium in 80 cc. tetrahydrofuran, whereby the temperature rises to 5060 C. After 5 hrs., decompositionis efifected with the aid of a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution; the layer of tetrahydrofuran is separated and extracted twice with the aid of methylene chloride, and the combined organic solutions are evaporated af ter having been dried by means of sodium sulfate. The residue solidifies to a crystalline mass, and yields, after having been triturated with 50 cc. Of methanol, 19.2 g. (91% of th.) of bis-[(N-benzoyl-6,7-dirnethoxy-1,2,- 3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-1) -rnethyl] [butene-(1)-yl- (2)]-carbinol having a melting point of 225-227 C. (dimethylformamide/ ethanol) (b) For the purpose of separating the benzoyl substituent, 25 g. of the previous product are heated for'5 hrs. at reflux in 250 cc. butanol with 16 g. of potassium hydroxide. After cooling, the crystallized potassium is removed by suction. The butanol is distilled oil under reduced pressure, finally with the addition of water and the residue is dissolved with 250 cc. of ether. From this ether solution, 13 g. (63% of th.) of bis-[(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4, -tetrahydro-isoquinolyl 1) methyl]- [butene-(l)-yl-(2) ]-carbinol are crystallized having a two hrs. in 50 cc. of chloroform with 50 cc. thionyl chloride. The solution is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and the residue is triturated with ether and dissolved in a small quantity of methanol wherefrom 12.3 g. (44% of th.) of the dihydrochloride 0f 1-[6,7-dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro 7 isoquinolyl-l]-2-[(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl 1) methyl] 3- chloromethyl-pentene-(Z) crystallize having a melting point ofa230233 C. V

(d) For the purpose of cyclization, the aqueous solution of 2 g. of the dihydnochloride obtained according to Example 2c is mixed with excess 2 n-sodium hydroxide. The 2-dehydroisoemetine which separates thereby is extracted with the aid of methylene chloride and converted into the dihydnochloride for purification (1.8 g.=82% of th.) which, after recrystallization from ethanol, melts at 241-243 C. With the addition of ether.

"Lt is not necessary to isolate, prior to the cyllization, the dihydrochlor-ide of the chloride which can be produced according to Example 20. It is possible to introduce the residue which remains afiter the mixture of chloroform and thi'onylchloride has been distilled off, after tniturating with ether, into excess 2 n sodi-um hydroxide, and dissolve the separated base in methylene chloride. If the base is allowed toremain, after evaporation or the solvent, in a 8 small quantity of 2 n-hydrochloric acid, then 2.7 g. (55% of th.) of the dihyd-rochloride of the Z-dehydroisoemetine crystallize which'melt, after recrystallization from alcobo l/ether, at 241-243.

The Z-dehydro-isoemetine, obtained trom the aqueous solution of the dihydnochloride by adding diluted sodium hydroxide, melts latter. recrystallization from acetone/ water at 9 3-95 C. After being dried under high vacuum at 40", it still contains /2 mol of water of crystallization. The corresponding N-acetyl-compound melts at 15 3155 C., the hydrochloride thereof melts at 256 258" 0., the iodo methylate melts at 208210 C. I

.The preparation of the starting compound of this example, alpha,alpha' bis (N jbenzoyl 6,7 dimethoxy- 1,2,3,4 tetrahydrqisoquinolyl- 1) acetone, is accomplished by condensing the 2 mols of 6, 7,-dimethoxy-3,4- dihydro-isoquinoline with r1 mol of acetone dicar'bonic acid. The thus obtained rrnx' ture oi the racemic and meso-v forms maybe converted into a mixture of the dihydrobromides which are readily separable onacoount of their different solubility in methanol or glacial acetic acid. The more diflicultly soluble dihydrobroinide having a melting point of 204-205 C. is the nacernic compound; from the mother liquor, theisomeric \dihydrobrcmide of the mesoform, having a melting point of 178180, is obtained by concentration. The racemic compound is converted in the usual manner into the dibenzoyl compound, M.P. 198. N

The 2-bromo-butene-( 1) which is required for the preparation of the *organometallic compound II is obtained by the splitting out of 1' mol of hydrogen bromide from 1,2 dibromo-butane in a conventional manner, e.g.,.-with the bidet alcoholic-potassium hydroxide. The mixture of the stereo-isomeric l-bromo butenell) and Z-bromobutene (l)'- formed thereby is separated by fractional dist tillation.

' Example 3 5 g. of the r-acemic form of the dihydrochloride of bis- [-(6,7 dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1)- methyl] [butene 7 (1) yl (2)] carbinol (M.P. 250- 252), which can be obtained according to Example 212, are suspended in 50 cc. of chloroform and heated with 50 cc. of phosphorous trichloridefor 5 hrs. at reflux. The chloroform solution is decanted firom the phosphoric acids deposited on the flask wall and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure; The residue is triturated ether, .m-ixed with ice, and .aiter the addition of 100 cc. of methylene chloride, the resulting mixture is agitated with 100 cc. of 2 n-sodium hydroxide. The alkaline layer is extracted twice with methylene chloride. From the combined extracts there are obtained 3.0 g. (93% of th.) of a yellowish base which is dissolved in acetone for the purpose of purification and converted by the addition of ethereal hydrochloric acid, into the dihydrochloride which crystallizes upon tnitunation with a small quantity of isopropyl alcohol; 3.32 g. of the hydrochloride of the 2-dehydro-'isoemetine (74% of th.) are obtained which melts after recrystallization from alcohol/ether at 242-253 C.; the respective base melts atter recrystallization from acetone/ water at 93-95 Example 4 2 g. of the bis [(6,7 dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroisoquinolyl 1) methyl] [butene (1) yl (2)]- carbinol (M.P. 126428) are boiled for 2 hrs. at reflux with 10cc. chloroform and 10 cc. of phosphorous trichloride with the exclusion of moisture. This mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness, and by agitating the dry residue with 50 cc; ct 2 n-sodium hydroxide and 50 cc. methylene chloride without isolating the intermediate product obtained, a ring is formed to produce 2-dehydro-isoemetine.- After evaporation of the methylene chloride, a quantitative yield of the base remains. After recrystallization irom acetone/ water there are obtained 1.4 g. (70% of th.) ofZ-dehydro-isoemetine alphaalpha' bis (N benzoyl- 6,7 dirnethoxy 1,2,3,4-

tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1),- acetone which melts at 197 are slowly introduced under intense stirring into a solution :of butene- (1) yl (2) magnesium bromide prepared from 20.2 g. of 2-bromo butene-(l) (B.P. 79.2-79.7 C.

at 762mm. Hg) and 3.6 g. of magnesitun in 100 cc. tetnahydrofuran, whereby the temperature rises to 40-45 C. The solution is left standingcfior 19 hrs. at room tempera- 1 ture, excluding, air and is then decomposed by the addition of ice and a saturated ammonium chloride solution. I The layer of tetnahydnofuran is separated and the aqueous layer extracted by shaking twice with methylene chloride. The residue gained from the combined sol-vents is tritunat ed with SO cc. of nbntanol, whereby 3.9 g. (20.4% of the initially employed quantity) of unaltered compound crystallize.

(b) The reaction product present in the butanol solution, i.'e., the his [(N- benzoyl 6,7 dimethoxy 1,2,3,4- tetnahydro iso quinolyl 1) methyl] butene (1)- yl 2)] carbinol, is, for the purpose of cleaving off the benzoyl residues, heated to the boiling point for 6 ,hrs..

in an oil bath of 140 C., after having been mixed with 12 g. of potassium hydroxide and 50 cc. of butanol. This mixture is evaporated to drynessunder vacuum, finally with the addition of water, and the base separated thereby is dissolved in methylene chloride. The baseremaining latter the evaporationis a mixture of the two theoretically possible stereoisorneric alcohols. For the sep-.

ar ation f the predominantly formed isomer, the raw productis dissolved in 50 cc. methyl ethyl ketone, and

solution is precipitated with ethereal hydrogen bromide. The precipitate, amountingto 13.6 g. (80% of th.)-

of an amorphous dihydrobromide is then tritur-ated with 50 cc. of hot water, and after cooling, pure dihydrobromide (with 9% water of crystallization) of one of the stereo-isomeric alcohols is obtained (46% of th.). The melting point is not sharp, being between 180-190; furt-herrnore, upon heating the melt to 200-220", it foams up. The respective dibenzoyl compound melts at 204-206. The free basecorrespondingto the hydrobromide melts after recrystallization'from tetrahydrofunan at, 139", the dihydrochloride melts at 199-201 after recrystallization from ethanol.

From the aqueous mother liquor of the dihydrobromide having a melting point between ISO-190 C. there may be isolated via the free base by berizoylation thereof, a second dibenzoyl compound which melts at 204-206 which together with the aforementioned stereoisomeric dibenzoyl compound which incidentally melts at the same temperature, results in a considerable lowering of the melting point. According to analysis, this compound represents the second, stereoisomer possible in the meso series, i.e., bis [(6,7 dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-1)- methyl] [butene-( 1 -yl- (2) ]-carbinol.

(c) For the cyclization, 5.6 g. of the dihydrochloride having ,a melting point between 199-201 and having been obtained according to Example 5b are heated for 8 hrs. at reflux with a mixture of 100cc. chloroform and 45 g. phosphoroustrichloride and-several drops of pyridine while moisture is excluded. 1 After cooling, this is evaporated to dryness under vacuum; the amorphous residue is dissolved in 70 cc. water and agitated with 250 cc. 2 n-sodium hydroxide and ether. From the ethersolution there are obtained 3.2 g. (71.5% of th.) of Z-dehydro emetine (3 ethyl 9,10 dimethoxy 1,6,7,11btetrahydro 2 [(6,7 dimethoxy- 1,2,3,4Z- tetrahydroisoquinolyld )-methy1]-4H-benzo [a]rquinolizine, which is purified toa large extent. V

. For the purpose of purification, 2.0 g. of the base are converted, with ethereal hydrogen chloride, into the dihydrochloride which, after rubbing with isopropyl alcohol,

bromide.

acetone dicarbonic acid to the alpha,alpha'-bis-(N-benzylzoyl 6,7 dimethoxy l,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1 )-acetone is obtained, MP. 178-180", from the hydrobromide according to Example 2, last paragraph, by henzoylation to give a quantitative yield. One may also start from quaternary salts formed when 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-' dihydro-isoquinoline is heated with benzyl chloride .or These salts are condensed with the acid of 6,7 dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl- 1)- acetone which, in this case, is obtained as the uniform meso-form, and'the two benzyl residues are split up by catalytic hydrogenation of the hydrochloride. One thus obtains the stericly uniform meso compound of the alpha,- alpha bis (6,7 dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl-1)-acetone which melts at 144-145 C.

M.P. dihydrochloride: 193-195.

M.P. methane sulfonate: 173-174".

Example 6 10.5 g. of the meso-form of the alpha,alpha'-bis-(N- acetyl 6,7 dimethox-y l,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1)-acetone which melts at 191-192 are introduced under stirring into "a solution, as prepared in Example 2, 015

0.122 mol of butene-(l) yl-(2)-magnesium bromide in cc. tetrahydrofuran, said solution being cooled to 10..

Additional cooling is provided so that the temperature. of the reaction mixture will notrise above 25. After decomposition with ice and cc. of 20% ammonium chloride solution, theprocessing is effected as set forth in Example 2. The crude reaction product is, for the purpose of splitting off the acetyl substituents, heated in an oil bath of for 5 hrs. together with 8 g. of potassium hydroxide in 100 cc. butanol. The butanol is evapporated under vacuum and, toward the end with the addition of water; and the residue is dissolved with methylene chloride. From the methylene chloride solutions there are obtained 8.7 g. of crude bis-[(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl-l -methyl] [butene-( 1 -yl- (2 -1 carbinol. For purification, the dihydrochloride is precipitated which, after recrystallization from ethanol, melts at l93-20l.

The further reaction of this hydrochloride to the 2- dehydro-emetine proceeds as set forth in ExampleS.

ofO.4 mol of vinyl magnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran prepared according to Example 1. After this mixture is allowed to stand overnight, it is processed according to Example 1. In order to convert the crude reaction prodnot into the 1-chloro-3-[(6,7-dimethoxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-l)-methyl]-decene-2, it is treated, according to Example 1, with thionyl/chloride in chloroform; and the chloroform solution is thereafter stirred with 2 n-aqueous alkali for 15 min. at room temperature. in

order to separate unreacted chloride, it is agitated with benzoyl/chloride and alkali and from the mixture, the tertiary base, i.e., the 9,10-dimethoxy-1,6,7,1lb-tetrahydro- .2-heptyl-4H-benzo[a] -quinolizidine, is separated with the aid of an acid. It is freed in a conventional'manner and converted into salts.

The starting material of this example is prepared by reacting 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro-isoquinoline with 8- keto'capric acid (Arkiv Kemie 3, 381, 1951), Chem.

(a) 20.4 g. of 1-phenacyl 2-be1izoyl-6,7-dimethoxy- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline in the solid state and having amelting point of 190-193" C. are introduced under stirring at 35 into a Grignard-solution which has been prepared from 6 g. of magnesium and 33 g. ofZ-bromo butene-(l) in 200 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. After a stirring period of 3 /2 hrs., 100 ml. saturated ammonium chloride solution are added to this mixture, the reaction taking place in an ice bath. The layer of .tetrahydrofuran is separated and the aqueous phase is extracted four times with 75 ml. aliquots of methylene chloride. From the combined organic solvents there is obtained a resin which yields crystals after treatment with boiling methanol.

analogous to the method de- The [(N benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-l-,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-l -methyl] -phenyl- [butenel -yl- (2) 1 -carbinol melts at l64166 (acetic acid ester).

(b) 7.6 g. of the c'arbinol obtained according to Example 8a are heated for 3 hrs. at reflux in a solution of 3.6 g. of potassium hydroxide in 70 ml. of butanol. After cooling, the precipitated potassium benzoate is extracted by vacuum filtration, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is agitated with 25 ml. of water and 30 ml. of methylene chloride. The aqueous phase is separated and extracted three times with 25 ml; of aliquots of methylene chloride. bined methylene chloride solutions, there is obtained, after the evaporation of the solvent, a resin which is dissolved in 25 ml. of isopropanol and mixed with ethereal hydrochloric acid. Thereby, there is crystallized the hydrochloride of the (6,7-dimethoxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroiso- 'quinolyl-l -3 -phenyl-2-ethyl-butene- 1 -ol- (3 having a melting point of l9l193 (isopropanol), Yield: 90%. The free base melts at ll5-l16 (isopropanol/Water).

(c) 2.3 g. of the hydrochloride obtained according to Example 8b and having a melting point of l91l93 are heated together with 5 ml. of phosphorous/oxychloride and 5 ml. of chloroform for 5 hrs.at reflux. After the distillation of the solvent and the excess phosphorous/oxychloride, the remaining resin is stirred together with ml. of chloroform and .20 ml. of 2 n-sodium hydroxide for min. at room temperature. Thereby, the cyclization of the cis-compound to the 1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-9,IO-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-3-ethyl-1 lbH-benzo[a] -quinolizine occurs. In order to obtain the final product in a pure form and to separate same from trans-[6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1] 4 phenyl v- 3 chlorornethyl pentene-(S) which may also be present, a benzoylation is conducted whereby this secondary amine is converted into the N-benzoyl compound. This'compound can be extracted, after acidification of the mixture, with the aid of benzene. benzene, there is obtained from the aqueous acid solution the pure 1,4,6,7-tetrahydr0-9,l0-dimethoxy-2 phenyl-3- ethyl-1lbH-benzo-[a]-quinolizine which is precipitated as hydrochloride from isopropanol with the aid of ethereal' hydrochloric acid. M.P. 209-2l2 C. M.P. of the dim-- cultly soluble perchlorate: 198499".

As to the production of the starting material of this invention, the 1-phenacyl-2-benzoyl-6,7-dimethoxy-l,%- tetrahydro-isoquinoline may be obtained in the following manner:

20 g. of 1-phenacyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline are mixed with 7.8 ml. of benzoyl chloride in 70 ml. of chloroform and 8 ml. of pyridine in an ice bath, and left to sit overnight. After the addition of 20 ml. of chloroform, the mixture is washed with 40 ml. 2 n-hydrochloric acid, and after having been dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent is evaporated. 1,2,3,4-tetrahy- From the com- After the addition of alkali and agitating with lizes from the residue. Yield: 89%.

. tene-( 1 )-yl-(2) -magnesium bromide.

* 1 Example .9

In accordance with Example 2, 20 got alpha,alphabis (N benzoyl 6,7 dieth'o'xy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroisoquinolyl-1)-acetone are reacted with'0.12 mol of bu- After saponification of the benzoyl groups, reaction with thionyl chloride and cyclization by agitating with sodium hydroxide, there is obtained the 3-ethyl-9,l0-diethoxy-l,6,7,1lb-tetrahydro- 2 [(l,2,3,4 tetrahydro 6,7 diethoxyisoquinolyl 1)- methyl]-4H-benzo[a]-quinolizine which is characterized as the dihydrochloride.

Example 10 Example 11 According to Example 1, 50 g. of 1-phenacyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-isoquinoline are reacted with vinyl magnesium bromide. After treatment with thionyl chloride and cyclization, there is obtained the 1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2-phenyl- 11bH-benzo[a]-quinolizine which is isolated as the hydrochloride. I

g If catalytic hydrogenation iseflected utilizing Raneynickel as the catalyst, there is obtained l,2,3,4',6,7-hexahydro-2-phenyl-1 lbH-benzo [a] -quino1izine.

Example 12 I In accordance with Example 11, there is obtained the 1,4,6,7 tetrahydro 9 chloro 2 phenyl llbH benz'o[a]-quinolizine from l-phenacyl 6-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro isoquinoline which can be hydrogenated to the 1,2,3,4,6,7 hexahydro 9 chloro 2 phenyl llbH- benzo a] -quinolizine.

Exarilple 13 49.2 g. of alpha,a1pha' -bis-(N-acetyl-6,7-methylenedioxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolyl:1)-acetone are introduced under stirring within'lO minutes into a solution of 0.3 mol butene-(1)-yl-(2)-magnesium bromide in tet'rahydrofuran prepared according to Example 2, whereby the temperature is maintained'at 20-30 C. After the mixture has been kept at 25 for five hours, it is processed as described in Example2a. In order to split off the acetyl residues, the crude reaction product is heated to 140 for seven hours in 500 c.. butanol with 32 g. of potassium hydroxide. The 'butanol is thereafter distilled oif under reduced pressure andlfinally with the addition of water. The precipitated resin is extracted with the aid of methylene chloride. The thus obtained crude bis-[ (6,7 methylenedioxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1) methyl]- [butene-(l)-yl(2)l-carbinol is treated, 'as described in Example 4, with phosphorous trichloride in chloroform. The residue obtained after distillation of the chloroform and the excessive phosphorous trichloride under reduced pressureis dissolved in cc. of boiling ethanol. The cold ethanolic solution is introduced into 1000 cc. of 2 nsoda lye. Cyclization to the 3-ethyl-9,IO-methylenedioxy- 1,6,7,l1b tetrahydro 2 [(1,2,3,4 tetrahydro 6,7- methylenedioxy isoquinolyl 1) methyl] 4H benzo [a]-qu.inolizine is thus accomplished. The base is extracted with the aid of chloroform.

As to the starting material used in this example, the alpha,alpha' his (N-acetyl,6,7-methylenedioxy-1,23,4- tetrahydro-isoquinolyl-l aacetone is prepared by condensation of 6,7-methylenedioxy-3,4-dihydro-isoquino1ine with acetone dicarbonic acid in a slightly acid aqueous solution. i

The racemic and mesoaform is achieved by fractional" crystallization of the dihydrobromides. For this purpose, the crude product is treated with 0.5% aqueous hydrobromic acid. The hydrobromides melt at 243-247 C. (d'ec.) and at 188-191 (dec).

It is to be noted that all temperatures in the specification and claims are in degrees Centigrade, and that acetone dicarbonic acid is synonymous with acetone dicarboxylic acid. j v

I To avoid any confusion with regard to the numbering system used throughout the description of the invention,

the complex compounds mentioned in Example 2 ar structurally represented as follows-1 V 1 and sCO- From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art r can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Consequently, such changes and modifications are properly, equitably andintended to be within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1.' A process for the productionof quinolizine derivatives, which process "comprises the steps of (1) reactin a compound of the formula 1 wherein I a R and R are selected from the group consisting of H, OCH OC H C1, --O-CH -O, and alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms,

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrocarbon acyl having 1-10 carbon atoms,

R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1-7 carbon atoms, phenyl, pheny-l substituted by R and R with the provision that at least one of R and R is other than hydrogen, and a radical of the formula whereinR R and R have the above'meaning, with an organometal'lic compound of the formula (3) then reacting said tertiary alcohol with an inorganic acid halogenide, said halogen portion selected from the 1 group consisting of chlorine and bromine, thereby replacing the hydroxyl group with said halogen, and rearranging the positions of the halogen and the double bond totorm a compound of the formula wherein Y is selected from the groupconsisting of chlorine and bromine, (4) and then treating said preceding compound with an alkaline reagent to split out HCl, and result in cyclization, thereby providing a quinolizine derivative of the formula 7 2. The process of claim 1, diurther comprising the step of hydrogenating the 2,3 double bond with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

3. A process which comprises the steps of: (1) reacting the meso-form of a,a-bis(1,2,3,4,-tetrahydno-2-acyl- 6,7-dimethoxydsoquinolyl-1)aacetone with a-ethylvinylmagnesium bromide to form an addition compound; (2) hydrolyzing said resultant addition product in an alkaline medium .to form his (1,2,3,4-tetnahydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinolyl 1) methyl] [1 butenyl 2] oarbinol;

(3) reacting said resultant carbinol with a halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of thionyl chloride and phosphorous trichloride to form ,1-[6,7-dimethoxy 1,2,3,4 tetrahydro isoquinolyl 1] 2 [(6,7-

group consisting of hydrogen wherein I R and R 'are selected from the group consisting of H,"

OCHg, OC2H5, -'OCH20-, and having 1-4 carbon atoms,

R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl hav: ing 17 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl substituted by R and R with the provision thatiat least one of R and R is other than hydrogen, and a radical of the formula wherein R selected [from the grout) consisting of hydrogen, talk anoyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, and hydrocarbon 16 aroyl of 1-10 carbon atoms, and wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and al-kyl having 14 canbon atoms.

6. A compound of the formula wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of H, OCH OC H Cl, OCH --O--, and alkyl having 1-4canbon atoms, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1-7 carbon atoms, ch'enyl, phenyl-snbstituted by R and R with the provision that at least one of R and R is other than hydrogen, and a radical of the formula where R is selected from the grout; consisting of hydrogen alkanoyl of 1 10 carbon atoms and hydrocarbon taroyl of 1 10 carbon atoms,

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and allcyl having 1-4 carbon atoms,- and Y is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine.

References Cited in the file of this patent Ternbab: Chem. A-bstracts, vol. 24, col. 21,100 (1960). 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF QUINOLIZINE DERIVATIVES, WHICH PROCESS COMPRISES THE STEPS OF (1) REACTING A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA 